The Dakar Port Authority (PAD) changed status on 1 July 1987 from a public industrial and commercial company (EPIC) to a national company with a capital of 52 billion FCFA. This is the purpose of Act No. 87-28 of 18 August 1987, as amended.

PAD’s missions are to:

• Operate and maintain the seaport of Dakar and its outbuildings, manage its tangible and intangible assets, and improve and extend its facilities;
• Create or acquire and use any funds or businesses of the same nature;
• Engage the company, by any means and in any form whatsoever, in any companies created or to be created; and
• Generally, undertake any commercial, industrial, tangible or intangible or financial transaction directly or indirectly related to the object defined above.